Today’s Music News: Morrissey announces debut novel

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Father John Misty sings about writing a novel, and Paul McCartney says he wants to be a paperback writer, but Morrissey has beaten them both to it: his debut novel, List of the Lost, will be published next month. As of yet, we don’t know anything more about the book’s characters or plot. (Rolling Stone) It will be Morrissey’s second book, after 2013’s nonfiction Autobiography—which was our Rock and Roll Book Club selection in July. Read Jim McGuinn’s review of Autobiography.

Dr. Dre has apologized to “the women I’ve hurt.” The hip-hop producer and performer, whose allegedly abusive past behavior towards women has come into the spotlight with the release of N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, told the New York Times that “twenty-five years ago I was a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life. However, none of this is an excuse for what I did. I’ve been married for 19 years and every day I’m working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the way. I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again.” Meanwhile, Straight Outta Comptonruled the U.S. box office for a second consecutive weekend, breaking the $100 million mark in total domestic gross.

On Saturday night, the Foo Fighters played the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The previous night, they played a Kansas City show that was protested by a contingent from the Westboro Baptist Church. The band responded by Rickrolling the protesters: driving past the protest in a pickup truck blasting Rick Astley‘s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” As video from the scene shows, Dave Grohl wore a Replacements t-shirt for the occasion. (Rolling Stone)

On Saturday night at the FYF Fest in Los Angeles, Kanye West played a headlining set as a last-minute substitution for Frank Ocean. As an added bonus, Kanye was joined onstage by Rihanna. (Rolling Stone)

Also on Saturday, Matisyahu decided to play the Rototom Sunsplash festival in Spain. The festival had re-invited the reggae rapper to play at the festival after previously dis-inviting him due to his refusal to state a position on the prospect of a future Palestinian state. “I have always believed in the power of music to unite all people, regardless of religion, politics or geography,” said Matisyahu in a statement accepting the re-invitation. (Rolling Stone)

Hip-hop hitmaker Wiz Khalifa was handcuffed by police on Saturday at the Los Angeles airport—for refusing to get off his hoverboard. (Rolling Stone)

All because I didn't want to ditch the technogy everyone will be using in the next 6 months. Do what you want kids. pic.twitter.com/7F0KIQgFrA

At theGreenman Festival in Wales, Natasha Khan (a.k.a. Bat For Lashes) debuted a new project called Sexwitch: a collaboration with the band TOY. Pitchfork called the performance “the most violent and exhilarating music Khan has ever been part of.” Sexwitch later announced that a self-titled debut album will be released on September 25, booked a London gig for September 29, and shared the single “Heleyos.” (Stereogum)

Slash says he’s reconciled with Axl Rose. “It’s very cool at this point,” the guitarist said, in an interview in Sweden, about his relationship with his former Guns N’ Roses bandmate. (Billboard)

B.B. King‘s daughter Patty King is still pursuing her claims that her father’s manager LaVerne Toney mishandled the blues legend’s health and finances. On Friday, a Las Vegas probate court commissioner refused Patty King’s request to issue a court order giving the daughter access to B.B. King’s medical records, but Patty King’s attorney says that the ruling was merely a procedural setback and confirms that the battle will continue. (Billboard)

Are One Direction going on hiatus—or even outright breaking up? Multiple publications, including People, are citing a mysterious source who says that the boy band, currently one of the biggest attractions in the music world, are planning to take a break starting in March—but a representative for the band says the reports are “all pure speculation and not based on any facts.” Meanwhile, the latest music star to take a tumble onstage is Harry Styles, who slipped up on Thursday night during a 1D show in Toronto. (Billboard)